Program Resources
Managed Forest Law - Enrollment
Enrollment into the Managed Forest Law (MFL) program is open to all private owners of forested land. To apply for the MFL program, an MFL Petition for Designation/Conversion form must be submitted.
The following two deadlines are now open for enrollment:
- March 1 / May 15, 2010, deadline for entry effective January 1, 2011
- July 1, 2010, deadline for entry effective January 1, 2012
Make sure to research each deadline before applying and read Wisconsin's Managed Forest Law publication.
To be eligible for the MFL program, a landowner must have a minimum of 10 acres of contiguous land and at least 80% of that land must be forested.
A written management plan is required to enroll land into the MFL program. The management plan addresses items such as landowner objectives, timber management, wildlife management, and water quality. An MFL management plan must be written by a certified plan writer (or a DNR forester under specific circumstances).Links
- Managed Forest Law Petition for Designation/Conversion (form 2450-129) [PDF, 129 KB]
- Wisconsin's Managed Forest Law Publication - Instructions and Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What obligations will I be subject to if I enroll land into the MFL program? | A list of some primary obligations follows, but keep in mind that this list is not inclusive:
|
| What is the cost to apply? |
A non-refundable fee of $20 per county must accompany each petition. |
| What is the cost of a management plan? |
|
| What is a CPW? | A certified plan writer, or CPW, is a private consulting forester certified by the DNR to write management plans for the MFL program. |
| How do I find a CPW? | See the online CPW list or the online forestry assistance locator. If you apply for the July 1 deadline and are placed on the referral list, CPWs may contact you regarding management plan preparation. |
| How much land can I close to public access? |
160 acres per ownership per municipality (for land entered in 2005 or later). |
| What are the current MFL tax rates? | |
| How long will the land be in the MFL program? |
You have a choice of a 25-year or 50-year enrollment period. |
| Can I have buildings on MFL land? | Buildings that are developed as a residence or include landscaping are not permitted on MFL land. Buildings permitted on MFL land will still be taxed as personal property. More information is here. |
| What is the difference between the two enrollment deadlines? | For guidance on the two different deadlines, see page 3 of the Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law publication. |
| What do I need to submit with my petition for designation? |
|
| How do I obtain a copy of my deed? | If you do not have a copy of your recorded deed in your files, you can contact the county Register of Deeds office. |
| If I already have land in the MFL program, can I add additional land to it? | Yes, but there are different rules depending on when your existing MFL land was enrolled. See page 4 of the Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law publication for details. |
| If I have land in the Forest Crop Law (FCL) program, can I convert it to MFL? |
Yes, but all your FCL land in the municipalities indicated on the MFL petition must be converted to MFL. |
| If I have an old MFL plan, can I use it for entry into the MFL program now? |
Yes, if it was written in the last five years by a CPW or the DNR, and you apply for the July 1 deadline. |
| How do I re-enroll my expiring MFL land? |
The re-enrollment of expiring MFL land follows the same procedure as new enrollments. Refer to the deadlines and instructions at the top of the page to ensure timely enrollment. Petitions are only accepted for the deadlines listed above. |
MFL-Enrollment
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